In Ayurveda Vyanga means any dark spot on the face. At present, some diseases are quite challenging so as the Vyanga is one of them. It is also a personality damaging disease. Nature is always doing better for all living being; but life of modern man is away from the nature. In fact, there has been a drastic change in his day by day activities including Life style, Food habits, Sexual life, Environmental Pollution, Industrial and Occupational hazards. Face is the paramount important organ of the body. Face reflects the personality of person. It is said that "Face is the index of mind". It is the substratum of vital parts. It reflects all the expressions e.g. joy, anger, sorrow, excitation etc. This most important and beautiful organ is affected by certain anomalies, Vyanga is one of them.  

Precautions for local applications

First of all patients should use only one preparation at a time. Before using Lepa these below mentioned points should be  kept in mind.
Powder should be mixed with plain water in inert pot e.g. - clay, glass etc.
•    The Pralepa should be prepared before 5-10 minutes of application so that particles of powder dissolve in water properly.
•    Ask the patient to wash his/her face with mild face wash than to sponge consequently.
•    Pralepa should be applied in upward and lateral direction with the help of brush.
•    Always fresh Pralepa should be used.
•    Pralepa should not be extremely smooth.
•    Generally Pralepa should be avoided in night time.
•    Duration of application is 45 minutes, after 45 minutes it should be removed with wet towel and wash the face with plain water.
•    The Pralepa should be kept moist during its application.

Vyanga occurs due to aggravation of Vatapitta. Vyanga has a very comprehensive meaning. It comprises all types of dark spots which occur on face. We can't correlate only one disease in modern. In modern science many diseases like Chloasma, Freckles, Sun tanning etc. can be included in Vyanga. The causative factors like sun exposure, drug intake O.C. pills, hormonal changes at particular stages, vitamin deficiency etc. are responsible for Vyanga (hyper melanosis).

Specific Character in accordance with Ayurveda: It is often accompanied by Niruj (painless), Tanu (thin), Shyava Varna (black/dark color from particular skin) spots on face. These disorders are the result of excessive anger, excessive exertion which aggravates the Vata & Pitta. These are the etiological factors which makes the platform for the disease, Vyanga.

Features: Chloasma is an asymptomatic, acquired and chronic condition with hyper pigmented macular lesion, develops slowly and symmetrically over malar area, bridge of the nose, forehead and temples and upper lips, more commonly seen in female than male, and is not accompanied by inflammation or any other systemic symptoms.

Melasma develops on the faces of some women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills. Oestrogens may cause melasma by accelerating the formation of melanin and also cause darkening of the nipples and areolas and the linea nigra on the abdomen, a darkened line extending from the pubis to the umbilicus. Melasma is not restricted to pregnant women. Its features are Symmetrical irregular sharply limited light brown / dark brown pigmentation of face with three patterns.

Many women who have neither been pregnant nor received oestrogen - containing medications have melasma as do some men. Its incidence is 50-70% in pregnant women and 10-30% to women on Oral Contraceptive pills.

Although there are no biologic complications from melasma, some patients are markedly distressed emotionally by the cosmetic defects.

Ayurvedic Preperations

1.    Paste of Rakta chandana, Manjistha, Kustha, Lodhra, Priyangu, Vatankur, Masur.
2.    Paste of leaves of Vat, Malati, Rakta Chandan, Kustha, Kaliyak, Lodhra.
3.    The bark of Varuna macerated with Goat's milk / urine.
4.    Paste of Vatankur and Masur.
5.    Paste of Arjun bark, Manjistha and Arusa alongwith Madhu.
6.    Sarjarasa, Nilotpala, Shankha, Vetasa, root of Kadali, Murva and Madhuka added with Ghee should be used for application.
7.    Paste of Madhuka, Sariva, Bala, Chandana, Lodhra, Utpala added with Ghee.
8.    Paste of Jayaphala only
9.    Manjistadhya Tail.
10.    Kukumadhya Tail

Ayurvedic Management: The purpose of therapy is to decrease the production of melanin without killing melanocytes.

Sushruta has mentioned the importance of Lepa Kalpana very well by giving a nice example. By pouring water over burning house, the fire is extinguished immediately; in the same manner, he emphasized that Lepa pacifies the provoked local Doshas by local application.

1. Lecturer Dravyaguna Dept., Parul Institute Of Ayurveda, Limda, Vadodara (Guj)

E-mail: ruchi_doctor888@yahoo.com Contact No. 09277901995

2. Lecturer Shalakya Dept., Govt. Ayurveda College, Panigate, Vadodara (Guj)